A cash-strapped Sussex council is demanding to know why the Environment Agency is asking for a rise in funding.

East Sussex County Council officials say the agency wants nine per cent extra from the Sussex Flood Defence Committee.

The committee looks after river and coastal flood defences in the county.

But the Tory-run authority has asked the agency to demonstrate why such a large increase is necessary.

In particular it wants to know what work will be done on flood defences in East Sussex as a result of the requested hike.

Council bosses fear the increase would add to council taxpayers' woes following a disastrous financial settlement with the Government.

Deputy council leader Daphne Bagshawe said: "We have had a disastrous financial settlement from Government this year with an increase of only 2.5 per cent on our overall budget.

"This leaves us with a shortfall of almost £30 million against our standstill budget.

"Now the agency is asking for a nine per cent increase, which would have to be funded by increases in council tax.

"We have therefore asked the agency to come up with a range of options for spending over the next few years which show which projects would go ahead and how much they will cost. We must get value for money for people in East Sussex."

East Sussex transport spokesman Councillor Tony Reid said work to complete coastal defences at Pevensey, Lewes and Uckfield must be a priority.

He added it was wrong people who live in flood-prone areas, such as Lewes and Uckfield, should have to pay extra council tax.

"These areas have lived with the uncertainty and threat of flooding long enough.

"We are still pushing government to fund flood defences nationally.

"Why should people who have already been hit so hard by the floods also have to face the burden of an even greater increase in council tax?"

Since 1998/99, money for flood defence work has gone up cumulatively by 41 per cent in Sussex. In 2002/03, £275,000, or a 9.3 per cent increase, was approved.

No one from the agency was available to comment.